Kiwis on Georgia tour have chance meeting with NZ's latest rugby export

Twelve Kiwis from Wellington, Christchurch, Paraparaumu and Palmerston North who are currently touring Georgia with Calder & Lawson Tours had an unexpected, chance meeting with New Zealand’s latest rugby export at a restaurant this week.

Waikato University Emeritus Professor, Peter Oettli, is leading the tour of the Caucasus Region to the countries of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia.

“As we boarded our bus Sunday morning our local driver excitedly showed us a Georgian newspaper with an article on the sports page, complete with photo, about the New Zealand coach of the Georgian national rugby team – Milton Haig.

“Apparently Georgia has not lost a single match since he started coaching them.  I relayed all this to the group as we were driving along.

“Later that evening as we arrived at the restaurant for dinner, there were some other people at tables around us, among them a family with two young girls. After a while the father got up, came over to our table and asked if we were Kiwis. Guess who it was? Milton Haig!

“Our tour group had a great time getting to know him and hearing about some of his experiences in Georgia.  It goes to show you that Kiwis can turn up just about anywhere you go in the world – even the remotest of countries,” explained Professor Oettli.

Milton Hague took up the Georgian national rugby team coaching role in January this year, along with fellow Kiwi, Chris Gibbes.  Milton Haig is the former coach of New Zealand’s national youth team.

Rugby is a popular sport in Georgia, which competed in the 2011 Rugby World Cup playing England, Argentina, Scotland and Romania in Pool B.

The New Zealanders have been on the tour of the Caucasus Region since 18 April, starting in Azerbaijan and continuing on to Georgia.  They are crossing into Armenia this week and will end their tour in Yerevan on 9 May, arriving home in New Zealand on 12 May.

Peter said the group has been blown away by the beauty of the region.

“We started out in Azerbaijan, which is a country of incredible contrasts.  We all really got a sense of this new nation that’s finding its feet as it emerges from a war-torn, post-Soviet era.

“Georgia’s complicated history has given it a fascinating mixture of influences from Turkey, Russia, Persia and Central Asia. With its old churches, watchtowers and castles dotting the mountain scenery, our well-travelled tour group has remarked that Georgia is one of the most beautiful countries they’ve experienced.

“We’re all looking forward to Armenia as well.  We’ll be touring a few of the country’s ancient monasteries, candle-lit churches and walled forts.  And, who knows?  We may just bump into more famous Kiwis in Armenia!  I wouldn’t be surprised,” he said.

For more information about Calder & Lawson Tours, visit www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz .